Team Evolution’s Orville Hinds stopped the clock at two hours, 38 minutes, 29 seconds to win the second stage of the 18th annual Dr. Cheddi Jagan three-stage cycle road race in Berbice yesterday.After being sent on their way from outside Freedom House on Main Street, New Amsterdam, by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, the more than 50 starters in the various categories stuck together until they approached Number 19 Road and it was from here that 14 cyclists broke from the pack and opened a sizeable lead during which the lead changed on several occasions.
Among the 14 were Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, Raul Leal, Mark Harris, Hamzah Eastman and Alonzo Greaves, but they were sucked in by a group of five – Jamal John, Christopher Persaud, Paul Choo-Wee-Nam, Stephen Fernandes and Christopher Griffith after turning back from Hogstye, Corentyne and together the 19 riders stuck together and there were attempts by a few to break away but their efforts were short lived on each occasion.
With three miles remaining to the finish line at Port Mourant, Hinds, Greaves, Jeffrey, Robin Persaud, Eastman and Leal surged ahead and nearing the finish, Hinds stole the march on the others and won comfortably ahead of Greaves.
Jeffrey who won the event in 2013 placed third, Robin Persaud was fourth, Eastman who won the first stage last Sunday over the West Demerara area finished fifth and Leal sixth.
Harris and Jeffrey both won two prime prizes each, while Alonzo Ambrose, Greaves and Hinds won one each.
In the junior category, Raphael Leung came out on top ahead of Andrew Hicks and Christopher Griffith respectively.
Junior Niles was the winner of the veterans’ under-50 category. Second was Ian `Dumb Boy’ Jackson, while Tuhran Harris placed third.
Ozia McAulley won the mountain bike category ahead of Julio Melville and Deraj Garbarran respectively, while Marica Dick was first among the ladies. Second in this category was Whitney Pierre and third was Tashawana Doris.
Walter `Buck Man’ Issacs was the first over 60 years rider to cross the finish line.
All the veterans, mountain bikers and the ladies turned back from Adventure.
Prior to the start of the race, the participants and officials were given a warm welcome to the region by its chairman David Armogan who reminded that the event was being staged in memory of the late Guyanese leader Dr. Jagan, “The greatest Guyanese to walk on the face of the earth”.
People’s Progressive Party’s General Secretary and Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, in brief remarks said the race has always been the flagship event to commemorate the death of the late Dr. Jagan and the cyclists’ participation contributes to the ideals of the late Guyanese leader.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Director of Sport Neil Kumar said he was very pleased to have Guyana’s top cyclists participating in the event in honour of the late President.
Kumar said the event was an excellent one and the participants showed tremendous respect for Dr. Jagan.
Chairman of the Dr. Jagan memorial coordinating committee Hydar Ally who took over as the committee’s chairman after the passing of Navin Chanderpal said he is privileged to be given the opportunity to coordinate the activities which will last for the remainder of the month.
Ally said the event was not one for winners and losers, but one for the sport.
PPP’s executive secretary Zulifier Mustapha in brief remarks congratulated all the cyclists for coming out and celebrating the memory of “the greatest man to walk in Guyana and we (PPP) will continue to support the event once the party continues to exist”.
Sports Minister Dr. Anthony in his address noted that the race was a success and that it attracted the largest number of cyclists since the event began 18 years ago.
The Minister reminded that Dr. Jagan started his political career in the 1940’s and stated that the things Guyanese are enjoying today were not there before.
Minister Anthony also said that Dr. Jagan fought for Guyana’s independence.
He said the party’s founder leader’s legacy was to start the PPP party which he did on January 1 1950 and this month, it will be remembered that Dr. Jagan was born on March 26 and died on March 8.
The minister said Dr. Jagan was very passionate about fitness and so, every day he could have been seen walking in the National Park and there were times when persons wanted to discuss things with him, he would invite them to walk along with him and discuss whatever issues were affecting them.
The minister said he is very pleased to have cyclists come from Linden and Georgetown to join with their Berbician counterparts to celebrate the Memory of Dr. Jagan.

(By Michael DaSilva)